The traveling process of going from point to point is often
painful!
Traveling in an economy seat,
whether train, plane or automobile, is an art. One's ability to design
appropriate body bends and props into a chair that might recline to a 120-degree
angle, while ensuring surrounding participants of said "art" are not
disturbed, is no easy task. It is almost impossible to avoid the feared neck
flop: the activity that will most assuredly cause neck and potentially back and
shoulder pain throughout the trip. But avoid it one must!
One cannot always be sure the neck flop occurred. There are
some simple observations that will help to discern it:
(a) did it take up to 60 seconds to straighten your neck with
subsequent pain from that region of your body?
(b) did you whip your head up so quickly you hit the back of your
head on a chair rest?
(c) is there a line of drool located at the top of your
chest?
Avoiding the neck flop with strategically placed pillows may help,
although this inspires excessive body heat, so be aware and have a fan
on! There is also the travel-neck-pillow such as the one the woman is
wearing in the picture. This is quite popular with international
travelers.
I, for one, have not had success using it in the prescribed
fashion as my chin apparently has a mind of its own and forces a neck
flop. To avoid the free-willed chin, turn the pillow around and give your
chin a rest. It works well and catches any drool you might encounter!